Israel's Chief Scientist plans a national genetic database using health fund medical records.
Israel Chief Scientist Avi Hasson said at the IATI Biomed 2015 conference that Israel plans to set up a government-authorized genetic database. The details of the initiative have not yet been finalized, and the initiative is not yet officially underway, but meetings have been held with a number of think tanks that are examining what the potential hurdles might be in setting up such a database, and how they may be dealt with.
Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) Head of Life Sciences Dr. Ora Dar added that the matter is currently being examined and formulated by the OCS's Telem, the national infrastructure forum for research and development. A think tank led by senior EMC executives was behind the initiative, but it is not yet clear who will manage the database. Upon the completion of the examination, Telem and the OCS are expected to put out a call for applications from organizations interested in managing the database.